Working Conditions Aboard the Grande-Amburgo

**Title: Major Cocaine Bust in Zárate: 16 Kilos Seized from Cargo Ship** In a significant narcotics operation, Argentine authorities uncovered 16 kilograms of cocaine on the vessel 'Grande Amburgo,' which docked in the Zárate port on May 4, 2026. The operation was a collaborative effort between the Argentine Naval Prefecture and the Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA), taking place along the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway in the Entre Ríos province. This successful seizure occurred during routine port inspections, which involved specialized personnel from the national maritime authority. The captain of the 'Grande Amburgo' alerted authorities after a crew member discovered a bag containing suspicious "bricks" in an area designated for loading motorhomes shortly after the ship made its departure from Montevideo on May 3. Documenting the situation with photographs and video footage, officers later confirmed that the bag contained 14 bundles of cocaine hydrochloride. Weighing a total of 16 kilograms, the drugs have an estimated street value exceeding 340 million pesos, with packages notably marked with the inscription "Formula 1-F1." Further investigation of the vessel revealed five empty burlap sacks that matched the characteristics of the drug-filled packages, hidden in another cargo space. The case has been handed over to the Federal Court of Campana, Criminal Division No. 3. They have instructed that the seized narcotics be analyzed for forensic testing and that witness statements be collected. Despite the serious nature of the finding, no restrictions have been imposed on the crew, which consists of 32 individuals from various nationalities. Port State Control authorities, however, implemented preventive measures that led to operational restrictions on the 'Grande Amburgo.' The vessel was later released on May 11. For more detailed information and photographic evidence, visit the official report: [Argentine Government News](https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/prefectura-y-arca-incautaron-16-kilos-de-cocaina-en-un-barco-en-zarate).

After the arrival of the “Grande Amburgo” at the O'swald Quay in Hamburg en route from Santos, three tons of cocaine with a value of around 150 million euros, the majority of it having been destined for the German market, were found by the police. The local authorities had received a tip about a drug mafia gang member who was a sailor on the ship. Police found that more than 400 kilograms of cocaine were hidden a the fire truck. The sailor was arrested in the harbour. Crew members had apparently made further cocaine discoveries on the ship. They collected more than 500 kilograms and locked the coke in the workshop to later hand it over to the police. For the removal, the investigators needed a forklift, which was guarded at the quay by heavily armed police officers. A total of three tons of coke were seized by police and customs.

Around 1,5 tons of cocaine was seized on Nov 5, 2023, by Federal Police and Revenue agents, on the 'Grande Amburgo' in 52 bales in the port of Vitória, as the result of joint investigations with other countries. The PF opened an investigation to investigate the case, and the ship was detained in port. More than 50 employees from federal agencies, including the Federal Police and the Federal Highway Police (PRF), participated in an operation to verify information that the ship would leave the port of Vitória bound for Europe, transporting a large quantity of drugs. The operation also involved 14 sniffer dogs, two PF and PRF vessels, as well as underwater drones to examine the vessel's hull. The Navy provided support in the action. The 52 bales were hidden in two different locations on the ship, and samples of genetic material and fingerprints were found on the bales. The intention was to be thrown overboard when the ship approached its final destination in Europe. The PF suspected that the drug was taken on board with the help of a crew member. Fingerprints and statements from the 28 crew members were collected. No one has been arrested so far, but the crew must remain in Brazil until the investigations have been completed. The objective is to identify everyone involved in the criminal organization of drug trafficking.

The "Grande Amburgo" ran aground on the Wester Scheldt near Walsoorden on May 26, 2019, at 4.10 p.m. The ship was enroute from Dakar to Antwerp. At 5 p.m. it managed to refloat with the incoming tide. It dropped anchor off Hansweert in pos. 51° 26.59' N 003° 59.53' E, assisted by the tugs "Multratug 28" (IMO: 9727962), "Multratug 31" (IMO: 9695614) and "Union Eagle" (IMO: 9406441). Also the patrol boat "RWS 79" of Rijkswaterstaat attended. On May 27 at 2.50 a.m. the ship berthed at the Antwerp Euroterminal NV. It sailed again on May 29 at 5.30 p.m. The ship headed to Hamburg and berthed at the Oswald Quay on May 30 at 6.10 p.m. Dutch reports with photos: https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2019/05/grande-amburgo-in-de-problemen-op-de-westerschelde/ https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/113146/Containerschip-bij-Walsoorden-weer-vlot